On 13 February 2016 Syrian government forces took village Tannurah, north-west of Aleppo city from the rebels, which brings closer complete encirclement of the rebel-controlled part of Aleppo city by the government forces.

In another development, Assad’s forces launched advance from Ithriya in the direction of Ar Raqqah – the capital of Daesh [ISIS]. USA, Saudi Arabia and UAE plan to step up their involvement in the Syrian war and, in cooperation with their Syrian allies, take the Daesh-controlled territory, including Raqqah. The Assad’s forces are now trying to be first on the spot in the Raqqah area.

On 4 January 2016 Saudi Arabia announced it was cutting transportation and commercial ties with Iran, a day after it severed diplomatic relations. Saudi ally Bahrain and close partner Sudan followed suit in cutting relations with Iran, while another Saudi ally United Arab Emirates downgraded diplomatic relations with Tehran. Days Later, Kuwait and Qatar also severed ties with Iran.

These gestures are largely symbolic, since the Sunni Arab coalition already is engaged in every kind of struggle against Iran and its allies short of direct military confrontation.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia officially revealed plans to establish strategic cooperation council between the two powers on 29 December 2015.

The plans represent continuing realignment between Turkey and the Arab coalition against the background of the ongoing geopolitical struggle in the Middle East. These two forces had not been allies by default. Nor will they probably be in the future. They have already fought a proxy war against each other in Libya. At this point, however, the need to stop Iranian challenge represents the priority for both Turkey and the Arab coalition, including its leader Saudi Arabia. Hence deepening strategic cooperation.

On 6 December 2015 the two rival government’s in the Libyan civil war achieved initial deal to create single government and unify the country.

It remains to be seen whether the deal will be actually implemented. If it is, Libya will also have to eradicate the Daesh [ISIS] colony which has been established in parts of northern Libya, including city of Sirte.

The two sides of Libyan civil war are supported by various Middle Eastern geopolitical players. Internationally recognized government in eastern Libya is supported by the Arab coalition including Egypt, UAE and Saudi Arabia. The rival government that took control over western Libya as a result of the coup is supported by Turkey. It seems that deal between these two Libyan sides has become possible as a result of the Turkish-Arab alignment in the face of Iranian opposition, especially in Syria.

On 2 December 2015 Yemeni Al Qaeda capture two towns controlled by the Hadi government forces that are supported by the Sunni coalition including Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

The towns in question are Zinjibar and Jaar in the south of the country, north-west of Aden. Zinbijar had been under Houthi control and was retaken from the Houthis by the Sunni coalition on 10 August 2015.

As the Sunni coalition is struggling to advance against the Iranian-backed Houthis on the front lines, Al Qaeda’s attacks in the coalition’s rear constitute another complication.